Iannetta is back behind the plate for today’s game against the Dodgers, despite a deep early slump that’s left him hitting .048. Iannetta insists he thisclose to breaking out.

For the first time in the early going, Todd Helton will start for the third consecutive day. The hot weather in L.A. – it’s supposed to climb into the 90s today – helps loosen up Helton’s back. Plus, the team is confident that his back is holding up well.

“It’s something we have been working toward,” Hurdle said. “I also want to give him some regularity in at-bats, I think that will help him in the long run. I think we saw a much better swing yesterday.”

Helton, hitting just .188, was 1-for-3 Saturday.

Making his first start in left is Ian Stewart. The Rockies, obviously, are trying every way possible to get his bat into the lineup. However, he’s going to have to be careful with the sun this afternoon at Dodger Stadium. The light-colored seats and the high, pale-blue sky makes tracking fly balls an adventure.

Ex-Rockies fireballer Juan Morillo, picked up on waivers by the Twins last week, made his American League Saturday night.

Here’s a report from the St. Paul Pioneer Press:

Wildness has made it difficult for him to remain at the major league level despite three auditions for the Colorado Rockies over the past three seasons. The first five hitters he faced in his 2006 big-league debut against Atlanta, for instance, went walk, walk, walk, hit by pitch, grand slam.

“It’s all mechanical,” said Morillo, who arrived in Minneapolis on Friday night after being claimed off waivers. When he runs into trouble, “I try to throw harder and harder,” which makes the problem worse. “But I’ve already started working on it.”

The Twins, in need of someone who can get a critical strikeout in late-inning situations, are willing to work with him. They would like to get him a couple of low-pressure appearances first, but “the way things have been going, I don’t know if that’s possible,” Gardenhire said.

Actually, he found a way, thanks to the Twins’ 9-2 victory Saturday. Morillo pitched to four hitters in the ninth and registered as high as 96 mph with his fastball. He struck out one and allowed only a harmless single in his American League debut.

“That was nice,” Gardenhire said. “He was relaxed, (threw) strike one to almost every hitter. We wanted to get him in, get him acclimated, see a smile on his face.”

Today, the club brought up right-hander Matt Belisle and designated Morillo for assignment.

“Hopefully something will work out for me,” said Morillo, the hard-throwing right-hander who signed with the Rockies organization as a non-drafted free agent in Apri 2001.

The Rockies have 10 days to either trade or release Morillo. There could be teams out there that are interested.

Belisle, signed by the Rockies an a minor-league free agent in January, will be in uniform for today’s home opener against the defending World Champion Philadelphia Phillies.

Belisle spent parts of the last five major league seasons with Cincinnati (2003-08), going 16-22 with a 5.06 ERA in 132 games. He went 1-4 with a 7.28 ERA in six starts for the 2008 Reds before undergoing season-ending surgery to repair the torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee on August 19. He was slowed in spring training by a forearm strain.

Baseball can be about as sentimental as a parking ticket. Franklin Morales experienced the cruelty Wednesday. He threw six innings of one-run ball, steering the Rockies to a 9-2 victory. His reward, one he knew was coming? An option to Triple-A Colorado Springs to make room on the roster for recently-acquired Jason Hammel.

The move is related to the Rockies’ schedule. They have two off days coming, tomorrow and next Tuesday, allowing them to go with four starters until April 21, while adding an extra reliever. So Morales is out, Hammel in. There’s a possibility that Hammel could end up starting as well as manager Clint Hurdle could offer no guarantees to Morales.

“I told him to just go down there and pitch. His growth from this time last year is evident,” said Hurdle, pleased how the left-hander stayed away from the big hit, particularly with traffic on the bases. “When he gets the next opportunity, he needs to take advantage of it. A lot can happen over the next two weeks.”

Hammel will join the bullpen Friday along with Matt Belisle. The corresponding roster move to activate Belisle will likely involve Juan Morillo. He’s the only Rockies’ player who did not appear in the opening series. The team is trying to trade him, but ultimately may place him on waivers.

First baseman Todd Helton hasn’t felt this good in years. But he realizes that without rest, it won’t last. Unlike in the past when it took the jaws of life to extract him from the lineup, Helton understands the need to get a break once in a while, particularly in day games after night games. So it is, he’s on the bench today with Garrett Atkins starting at first base.

“I don’t believe it (makes sense) to push him right now. He’s feeling good for a reason,” said manager Clint Hurdle.

This rest makes perfect sense given the Thursday’s off day before the home opener. The Rockies are looking for their first series win at Chase Field since Sept. 2, 2007. Franklin Morales will get the start, trying to make an argument to stay in the rotation when a fifth starter is needed again on April 21. Matt Belisle and Jason Hammel will be added to the bullpen Friday, likely at the expense of Juan Morillo, who hasn’t pitched this season. There’s word coming from the Diamondbacks that Brandon Webb might skip his next start with shoulder stiffness. He indicated it was a problem during his abysmal performance Monday.

Two of the Rockies’ best young prospects will be heading in different directions Wednesday. Center fielder Dexter Fowler is heading into the lineup for his first start, and is expected to remain in the lineup for Friday’s home-opener against Philadelphia left-hander Cole Hamels. Franklin Morales, meanwhile, will start Wednesday against the Diamondbacks, then will head out to Triple-A Colorado Springs to stay on his regular rotation turn.

Plan A is for Morales to return and start for the Rockies on April 21 against the Diamondbacks. But Hurdle would not guarantee Morales a spot, pointing out that newly-acquired Jason Hammel has starting experience. Hammel and Matt Belisle will join the Rockies’ bullpen Friday, with Morales’ exit clearing one spot and Juan Morillo’s likely trade or placement on waivers freeing another spot.

“We are encouraged by what we saw from Franklin in spring training. But I can’t tell you when he goes out when he’s coming back. You just never know. We are adding two new pitchers and this one kid Hammel, from what I understand, is a pretty good starter,” Hurdle said. “And how Franklin pitches is going to have some input on what happens.”

As for Fowler, Hurdle wants to get him continuity in at-bats, stringing a few starts together like he will this week. Hurdle said that Fowler will also play against some right-handers, but not against No. 1s and No. 2s in rotations with “good late movement.” He will look to spot him against No. 3s, 4s and 5s.

Phoenix — In a move designed to add bullpen depth, and a possibly another starter, the Rockies have acquired Tampa Bay right-hander Jason Hammel in exchange for Double-A pitcher Aneury Rodriguez. General general manager Dan O’Dowd confirmed the deal this afternoon as the Rockies held a workout to get ready for Monday’s season-opener vs. the Diamondbacks.

The deal, whose parameters were first reported by The Denver Post on Saturday, gives the Rockies another power, versatile arm in the bullpen. Hammel will be added to the 25-man roster at some point this week, which could spell the end for power right-hander Juan Morillo.

Hammel, 26, became available when he lost the fifth starters’ job in Tampa Bay. Rodriguez is considered an under-the-radar prospect, ranked among the Rockies’ top 20 minor-league players. It can be debated, however, that Rodriguez’s ceiling has already been reached by Hammel. This move makes sense because Hammel can spot start and pitch multiple innings in relief.

In order to make room for Hammel on the Rockies 40-man roster, left-handed pitcher Jeff Francis was transferred to the 60-day disabled list. He’s out for the season after undergoing shoulder surgery.

Hammel, 26, is 7-15 with a 5.90 ERA in 73 major league games, including 28 starts for Tampa Bay. He made 40 appearances (five starts) for the Rays last season, going 2-2 with a 4.88 ERA as a starter and 2-2 with 2 saves and a 4.44 ERA as a reliever.

Rockies 6, Mariners 5At Cashman Field in Las Vegas At the plate:Third baseman Jeff Baker smashed a fastball down the left-field line for a two-run double. Outfielder Seth Smith came off the bench and posted a hard line-drive single to center field. Smith appears ready to start in left on opening day. He ended the game with a bases-loaded single off the left-field wall as the Rockies finished the spring with a .500 record. Jason Marquis showed off his athleticism, plating a run with an RBI single. He reached second on a bloop error and was barely thrown out trying to stretch a routine single into a double.

On the mound: Jason Marquis provided a typical blue-collar effort, surrendering four runs in six innings on 89 pitches in his last rehearsal before Friday’s home opener. Everything about Marquis is average, from his fastball to his curveball. But he competes, finds a way to stick around and keep his team in games. Defense will be solid behind him this season because he works fast. Juan Morillo struggled to command his slider during his one inning of work. Given the heat Morillo throws, it would make more sense for him to pitch inside. But after watching him this entire spring, it’s clear why: he just doesn’t have the control yet to work in there consistently.

In the field: Garrett Atkins made his first start at first base this spring and looked rusty. He flubbed a groundball that Clint Barmes turned into an out with a quick reaction and flip to Marquis. Ian Stewart also committed an error at second base, a position he’s still learning. Daniel Ortmeier, who will likely play first base in Colorado Springs, finished a strong spring with a terrific catch in right field in the ninth. He rammed up against the wall, but held on for the out.

Up next:.The Rockeis will work out Sunday at Chase Field. Then, at last, it’s time for Opening Day Monday at Chase Field. Aaron Cook will be pitted opposite of Brandon Webb.

There is growing momentum for a trade to transpire between Tampa Bay and the Rockies involving right-hander Jason Hammel. The Rays heavily scouted the Rockies this past week, keeping a close eye on Double-A starter Aneury Rodriguez.

Hammel is 26 with a power arm. He would give the Rockies another guy who could throw multiple innings in the bullpen, and also could spot start. If he’s acquired, Juan Morillo would likely be the odd man out. Morillo has drawn interest from the Florida Marlins this spring.

Hammel is competing with Jeff Niemann for the Rays’ fifth starter job. Both are out of options, and being shopped. According to a Rockies’ source, the team isn’t nearly as interested in Niemann as Hammel.

Las Vegas — Astute observers of Friday’s game noticed the same thing I did. Todd Helton still isn’t running well. He’s purposely being cautious in his return from back surgery. But to clear a couple of things up: He did not leave last night’s game with an injury. He’s played plenty this spring and there was no reason to push it.

Also, the weather conditions were miserable. There were 35-mile-per-hour winds, dropping the temperatures into the 40s. So it was no surprise to see Helton moving slowly as he navigated the bases last night, especially going first to third. It does show that his back will need to be monitored, especially in nasty weather. Nonetheless, Helton remains the surprise of spring training. And the idea of him hitting 20 home runs is no longer preposterous.

As for his backup, Garrett Atkins will start at first base, his first innings there this spring. He didn’t have the opportunity to play because of two separate leg injuries. Manager Clint Hurdle told me last night that Atkins would play, weather willing.

The Rockies will start Jason Marquis with the Mariners countering with Ryan Rowland-Smith. There’s no DH today with the Rockies the home team:

The final piece of the puzzle remains a reliever. More than ever, it’s unlikely to be the Cubs’ Chad Guadin. The Rockies have liked him in the past, but according to a team source, their pursuit has cooled based on the right-hander’s performance late last season and this spring.

The push for Tampa’s Jason Hammel has not stopped. The Rockies like his age and power arm. If unable to make a deal — and one could still come down next week — Juan Morillo is favored to make the team over Matt Belisle for the final bullpen spot.

Angels 18, Rockies 11At Tempe Diablo StadiumAt the plate:Jeff Baker showed simultaneously why teams want him, namely the Astros and Pirates, and why the Rockies want fair value to move him. Starting his first game at third base, Baker homered twice and singled. Baker has said he doesn’t concern himself with trade rumors or injuries. “I used to worry about stuff that I couldn’t control, and it doesn’t do any good,’’ said Baker, who also committed a throwing error. Baker’s is out of options and facing a roster crunch. Catcher Yorvit Torrealba, another player the Rockies would consider trading, continued his strong spring with a home run to left field. Torrealba finished 2-for-4 with three RBIs, raising his average to .306. Dexter Fowler, bucking for a roster spot, turned a bloop single into a double with alarming speed.

On the mound:It would be difficult to imagine a worse day pitching – think of the July 4 game against the Marlins at Coors Field and you’re getting close.
In recording only 13 outs, Jason Marquis was bombed for 12 runs and 10 hits. He had no command of his sinker as his ERA inflated to 14.14 ERA. At this point in the recap, the pitcher usually explains his outing. Marquis, however, left the ballpark without running, so that discussion will have to take place tomorrow morning. Reliever Juan Morillo also failed to escape the sixth, allowing a 400-foot-plus home run to Sean Rodriguez. Matt Belisle was the shining headlight in this car wreck, dropping the gate on the Angels’ deluge. In other words, he didn’t allow a run in his four outs of work, cause for celebration on this day. Belisle is making a push to secure the final relief spot. He’s competing with Josh Fogg, who pitches Friday in Tucson. The Angels have scored 56 runs with 15 home runs over their last four games.

In the field: Baker’s flyball struck Torii Hunter on the nose as he collided into the wall, leading to a hospital visit.

At the plate: In his first game back from the WBC, Chris Iannetta didn’t miss a beat. Iannetta went 2-for-4 with an RBI single.

“I think when I left I was a little jumpy at the plate,” he said. “And then when I faced those guys in the WBC, they throw a lot more off-speed and I slowed myself down and I feel a lot better now. It was a good thing.”

Utility man Daniel Ortmeier smashed a two-run homer to left in the seventh. It was his third of spring, his first from the right side.

And Ryan Spilborghs, the Rockies’ spring MVP in my book, went 2-for-3 with two RBIs. He’s hitting .390.

On the mound: Greg Smith — hoping to stake his claim as the fifth starter and pitching his first Cactus League game since a battle with the flu — didn’t put up good numbers: Four runs (three earned) on seven hits in three innings. But he thought he pitched better than the raw stats indicated.

“In the first inning I felt like I made some pitches, but they had some hits … a bloop over second or a broken-bat hit,” Smith said of the Cubs’ two-run first. “As the game went on, I felt good, I felt good, but then I would leave a breaking ball up, or leave a changeup and that’s when I started getting a little tired. It wasn’t as crisp as I wanted to be later. But (catcher) Chris Iannetta said I made some good pitches, so that’s something good to take out of it.”

Milton Bradley crushed a solo homer to left in the third, but Smith tipped his cap to the Cubs’ cleanup hitter.

“For the most part, the balls were down today,” Smith said. “Even the Bradley homer I thought was an OK pitch. But with a good hitter like Bradley, he can still get the barrel to it.”

Rockies relievers were shaky.

Manuel Corpas – his pitches clocked at 88-91 mph – walked three but fought back and didn’t allow a run. He looked so bad early, he got a rare visit from manager Clint Hurdle on the mound.

“I gave him some instruction,” Hurdle said with a wry smile.

Although Hurdle wouldn’t spell it out, “instruction” in this case really amounted to a verbal kick in the backside.

Allen Embree got banged for three runs on two hits, including a double by Alfonso Soriano.

In the field: Seth Smith started in left field but was replaced by Ian Stewart in the fifth. Clint Barmes was back to his usual spot at second.

Footnotes: Troy Tulowitzki, playing in a minor league game in Tucson, showed he’s healthy after sitting out two games with a tight lower back. Tulo went 2-for-5 with a double, a homer and two RBIs.

Los Angeles — To those so dutifully writing and asking on the left side of this page regarding Jeff Baker: Yes, he’s definitely being shopped this spring, according to my sources. Teams looking for help or depth at third base, include the Astros, Yankees and Braves. Baker would make sense for the Astros or Yankees. However, the Yankees,a source close to their situation said tonight, are committed to giving Cody Ransom a shot while Alex Rodriguez is out. They liked him as a utility player before A-Rod’s surgery and he has enjoyed a strong spring. Remember, when Derek Jeter was hurt a few years ago, they went with a no-name for a few weeks.
Circumstances could change, but they don’t want to be held hostage in a trade for a player they might only need for 75 at-bats or so.

Houston could use a bat after losing Aaron Boone to open heart surgery. Geoff Blum is not an everyday player at this point his career. Their minor-league system is not pretty, so might be hard to find a match there. Trust me, the Rockies will ask for a lot on Baker, especially if they believe he’s going to start elsewhere.

As for the suggestion of trading Joe Koshansky and Juan Morillo for a pitcher. More than likely, that package would command a good reliever in return, if offered. My colleague Patrick Saunders addresses this issue well, so take a look at his answer.

Anyway, if you look around the big leagues at the No. 4 and 5 starters, and you can see why it’s hard to acquire one. Almost every team has the same need. Morillo is going to make the team, barring something strange. I like the idea of moving Koshansky once he gets hot in Triple-A.

At the plate: Todd Helton (hitting .300) singled to left to lead off the fourth inning, then scooted to third on Matt Murton’s shallow single to right. That’s normally not a big deal, except that it was the first time Helton’s had to leg it out on the bases and test his surgically repaired back. He showed no ill effects from the 180-foot sprint and trotted home on Jeff Baker’s single.

“I’m pretty confident he’s healthy,” starter Aaron Cook said. “I think you can see the way he’s swinging the bat and the way he’s waiting on pitches that he’s trusting his body again. That’s what we need Todd to do, get healthy and trust his body again.”

Credit Ian Stewart — his average back up to .294 — with another clutch hit. In the eighth, he drove in Mark Bellhorn with a single to right, giving the Rockies a 4-3 victory.

There’s likely no room on the 25-man roster for utility man Christian Colonel, but he’s giving the Rockies plenty to think about. He lined an RBI-single to left in the fourth and added a sacrifice fly in the sixth. While his average isn’t great, he’s played well in the field and he’s driven in eight runs.

On the mound: It would be hard to imagine starter Cook having a much sharper spring training. After giving up one run on five hits, Cook reduced his ERA to 1.89. Though he ran into trouble in the second, giving up a double and a single, his trusty sinker got him out of trouble.

Cook has been working overtime on his changeup and curve, looking for more variety, but today, facing the Indians for the third time this spring, he stuck to basics.

“He’s gone at the Indians three different ways,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “The last time he faced them his sinker was decent, but his secondary pitches were so good in Goodyear. Today he sunk the ball, made quick contact, threw just 59 pitches and (had) very good pace on the mound.”

Hurdle’s verdict on Cook’s spring: “So far so good. The target points he set out to hit, he’s hitting. He has command of the bottom of the zone better than maybe any pitcher we have in camp right now.”

Juan Morillo, well aware that every inning counts for him as he tries to make the roster, had his fastball blazing today. He allowed a hit and a walk in one inning, but struck out two.

Randy Flores, coming back from shoulder surgery, got roughed up a bit in the seventh when the Indians’ George Lombard hit a two-run homer to deep center.

In the field: Clint Barmes, filling in at short for Troy Tulowitzki (tight lower back) was a busy man. He made the play of the game in the sixth, leaping high to snare a line drive off the bat of Trevor Crowe.

Footnotes: Today marked the Indians’ first game at Hi Corbett Field since March 31, 1992 when they hosted the Cubs. The Indians called Hi Corbett their spring home from 1947 through 1992. From 1993 through 2008 they were in Winter Haven, Fla. The Indians moved to a new complex in Goodyear, west of Phoenix, this year.

The Rockies moved into Hi Corbett in 1993, their inaugural season. This could be the Rockies’ final spring in Tucson, although it’s looking more likely that they won’t make the move to the Phoenix area until 2011.

Injury update: Brad Hawpe (left hamstring) and Tulowitzki have a chance to be back in the starting lineup Monday. The Rockies hope to get Garrett Atkins (groin) back on the field sometime this week in hopes of getting him ready for the regular season.

“(Trainer Keith Dugger) and I are penciling some things down,” Hurdle said. “Barring any setbacks, if we can get some activity started this week, I do believe we have enough time witha combination of playing games here — maybe five innings here, then send him to a minor-league game just to get at-bats — we still have enough time to get him ready.”

At the plate: The day’s highlight soared off the bat of Rangers prospect Chad Tracy, son of Rockies bench coach Jim Tracy. The Rockies intentionally walked the bases full in the seventh, setting the stage for Chad Tracy. The 23-year-old promptly hammered a pitch by Jhoulys Chacin over the left-field wall for a grand slam.

On the Rockies’ side, Matt Murton continues making it tough for the club to leave him off the roster. He led off the sixth with a turbocharged line-drive homer to left off Rangers starter Kevin Millwood. It was Murton’s second homer of the spring. After going 1-for-4, he’s hitting .351.

Ian Stewart nearly parked one beyond dead center in the fourth. He settled for a triple, scoring on Jeff Baker’s infield grounder.

Joe Koshansky made amends for two early strikeouts by hitting his second home run of spring, a 450-foot drive to center to open the seventh.

On the mound: Jorge De La Rosa wasn’t as crisp as his last outing when he blanked the Dodgers for three innings. However, he pitched better than his line – four innings, three runs on six hits – indicated. He was the victim of a couple of cheap hits.

The best news was that De La Rosa didn’t collapse when he got in trouble. Plus, his stuff was dynamite. He mixed a 93-94 mph fastball with off-speed pitches in the low 80s en route to five strikeouts. He didn’t walk any.

“That’s good, no walks,” said De La Rosa, who was most pleased with his slider and changeup. “I’m starting to feel much better and have better command.”

Chacin, the prized right-handed prospect got rocked. He walked four, one intentionally, and also got pounded for five runs on five hits in 2 1/3 innings.

Though Chacin still makes mistakes by trying to blow the ball past hitters some times, it’s easy to see why the Rockies are so enamored with the 21-year-old. In the sixth inning, for instance, he used a trusty sinker to induce a groundball and escape a bases-loaded jam.

In the field: Fundamentals failed the Rockies in the third inning when left fielder Seth Smith and shortstop Omar Quintanilla miss-communicated on a shallow pop-up, leading to a cheap double by Jarrod Saltalamacchia.

Footnotes: Troy Tulowitzki was a late scratch at shortstop because of a tight lower back. He would have been able to play has today’s game come in the regular season. Baker, the subject of trade rumors, continued his comeback from a sore right elbow. He started at second and played the entire game.

At the plate: Three encouraging signs emerged from today’s game against the Rangers. Ryan Spilborghs continues raking the ball, going 3-for-4 with two doubles and a walk. While hitting with power to all fields, his average is a robust .371.

Todd Helton displayed his beautiful hitting skills in the fifth, driving a ball up the middle for a single, scoring Spilborghs from second.

And Ian Stewart, who had cooled down lately, hit a high, opposite-field solo homer in the fourth. He finished 3-for-4, bumping his average to .267.

On the mound: No. 3 starter Jason Marquis needs to decide on his makeover before the regular season starts. He’s been tweaking his mechanics all camp, and he’s been getting hammered as a result. After giving up six runs on seven hits in five innings today, Marquis said he will go back to his more known and comfortable delivery when he’s in the stretch. He did that in the fourth and fifth with good results.

But Marquis was clearly uncomfortable pitching out of the stretch earlier in the game, as evidenced by Nelson Cruz’s two-run homer off him in the first and Frank Catalanotto’s three-run shot in the third.

Juan Morillo, fighting for a spot in the bullpen, pitched a ragged sixth, giving up two runs on three hits. He once again allowed too much traffic and continues to leave the ball up in the zone.

Huston Street, making back-to-back appearances for the first time, pitched a clean inning with one strikeout, running his scoreless-innings streak to five. His velocity is good and is slider showed a lot of late movement.

Manuel Corpas, Street’s chief competitor for closer, gave up a run on three hits in his inning of work.

In the field: Troy Tulowitzki showed off his gun in the first – with ugly results. Attempting to complete a groundball double play, Tulo fired the ball over the head of first baseman Todd Helton, over the dugout and nearly into the stands.

At the plate: It only took Todd Helton 10 at-bats to surpass last spring’s home run total. After hitting one in 58 at-bats a year ago, Helton swatted his second this spring, a monstrous 430-foot blast into the grassy knoll in left-center field. It sounded like a gun shot coming off the bat.

“I am ready for the season to start, so I guess I am (ahead of schedule),’’ Helton said.

Omar Quintanilla continues to enjoy a strong spring that screams that he will land a roster spot, tripling in the first inning

On the mound: Right-hander Jhoulys Chacin never buckled in his first spring training start. One bad pitch – a hanging changeup that Evan Frey tripled to the left-field corner, scoring two runs – smeared an otherwise strong sinker-ball-heavy effort.

“I don’t worry about where I will start the season. Wherever they put me is fine,’’ said Chacin, when asked about the possibility of beginning the season in Triple-A.

Huston Street extended his scoreless streak to three innings with two spotless innings. Notably, he struck out two hitters. He had only one K this spring entering the game.

Pitching in a minor-league game against a mix of different level players, Aaron Cook worked six innings, allowing three earned runs on 78 pitches, while focusing on becoming less predictable.

“I threw a lot of breaking balls and off-speed stuff today,” Cook said. “It’s definitely a luxury to be able to work on this stuff. That’s great in a situation like this where if a guy crushes it really doesn’t matter. I’m just trying to get a feel for my pitches. At the end of the day, we’re all better for it.”

In the field: Left fielder Carlos Gonzalez, re-entering the mix for a roster spot, showed off his athleticism with an over-the-shoulder catch to rob Tony Clark in the fourth inning.

Returning from back surgery, Helton showed no problem charging on bunt plays or navigating a rundown in the third inning.
“More than anything it’s how you feel the next day because you have adrenaline out there,’’ Helton said.

Up next: The Rockies host the Royals at Hi Corbett Field. Ubaldo Jimenez, in his first performance since the WBC, starts followed by leading closer candidate Manuel Corpas, Randy Flores, Juan Morillo and Ryan Speier. The Royals will start Kyle Davies.

At the plate: Troy Tulowitzki is finding his groove. The shortstop raked a run-scoring single and a run-scoring double, raising his average to .241 and getting his first two RBIs.

Versatile Omar Quintanilla, playing for a roster spot, started at third base and produced a three-hit day that included a double, three RBIs and a walk. He’s having an excellent spring, hitting .370 while playing second, third and short.

Ryan Spilborghs got the Rockies on the board with a solo homer in the first and nearly parked another ball in the second. Scott Podesdnik, making a strong bid to be the fourth outfielder, showed off his speed with a fourth-inning triple.

On the mound: Left-handed starter Jorge De La Rosa, in dire need of a solid start and a confidence boost, pitched three solid innings. He gave up one hit, walked one and struck out two. In his only battle with Manny Ramirez, he got Ramirez to ground out to second.
Reliever Juan Morillo wasn’t as sharp as he has been, but he battled for one inning, allowing a hit and a walk and striking out one.

In the field: Eric Young Jr., continuing to get extensive playing time, displayed his athleticism in the fifth, leaping to snare a high throw, then swipe out Matt Kemp who was attempting to steal second.

At the plate: Colorado’s bats cooled considerably today, though catcher Yorvit Torrealba continues his productive spring. He went 2-for-3 with two solid singles, boosting his average to .348. Seth Smith and Ian Stewart each hit doubles.

On the mound: Starter Greg Reynolds, still in the mix for a rotation spot, was decent for three of his four innings. An effective sinker produced inning-ending double plays in the first and second. In the third, however, the Giants hammered him for four hits, including run-scoring triples by Eugnio Velvez and Fred Lewis. Reynolds regrouped in the fourth, setting the Giants down in order. His biggest problem today was poor curveball location.
The Rockies’ relief corps was nails until Steven Register was hammered in the 10th. Juan Morillo (one inning), Manuel Corpas (one) and Josh Fogg (two) held the Giants scoreless. Fogg, apparently destined for a long relief role, worked out of a jam in the eighth.

In the field: First baseman Todd Helton, continuing his comeback from back surgery, showed nimbleness around the bag in the third inning, making an option-worthy pitch to Reynolds covering first, forcing out Pablo Sandoval by a half-step.
Propect Chris Nelson had a tough day, committing two errors at short.

Footnotes: Garrett Atkins aggravated his right hip flexor two days ago, didn’t play today, and is expected to miss a few days. … Right fielder Brad Hawpe, out of the lineup since Feb. 27 when he cut his left pinky in a game against the Angles, is expected to be back in the lineup Saturday.

Patrick, a third-generation Colorado native, is back for his second stint covering the Rockies. He first covered the team from 2005-2009, helping chronicle “Rocktober” in 2007 and also following the team’s playoff run in 2009.

Nick Groke has worked at The Denver Post since 1997, as a sports reporter, city reporter, entertainment writer and digital editor and producer, among other newsroom posts. He also writes regularly about boxing, soccer, MMA and NASCAR.